• PDP criticises House of Rep for 60 year age limit bill passing second reading
• Senate comes under fire for withdrawing immunity bill on VPs and governors
• FG condemns Chinese firm shooting immigration officer
• Senate looking to cut election costs by introducing same-day elections
• Bill to switch Nigeria to Parliamentary system passes second reading

Across Nigeria’s 36 states and the Federal Capital Territory, these are the top five Nigerian news stories you shouldn’t miss.

PDP criticises House of Rep for 60 year age limit bill passing second reading

A bill aimed at restricting anyone older than 60 from running for president and governor in Nigeria passed second reading at the House of Representatives and this has sparked a huge criticism from many political figures such as the People Democratic Party (PDP), the Coalition of United Political Parties (CUPP) and the Social Democratic Party (SDP).

If the bill is approved and signed into law, it would disqualify President Bola Tinubu, former Vice President Atiku Abubakar, and the Labour Party’s 2023 presidential candidate, Peter Obi, from participating in the 2027 presidential election, as all three are over 60 years old.

The PDP condemned the bill, calling it a misplaced priority and accusing lawmakers of focusing on minor issues while ignoring more pressing national concerns.

Senate comes under fire for withdrawing immunity bill on VPs and governors

The House of Representatives faced criticism for reversing its earlier decision to remove immunity for the vice president, governors, and their deputies.

Deputy Speaker Benjamin Kalu, who led the plenary session in the absence of Speaker Tajudeen Abbas, explained that the reversal was to allow for a more thorough debate by lawmakers due to the bills’ sensitive nature.

“We apologise to the sponsors of the bills, but this decision allows the House to engage in further discussion, given the importance of these issues,” Kalu stated.

FG condemns Chinese firm shooting immigration officer

The Minister of Interior, Olubunmi Tunji-Ojo, has condemned the alleged shooting of an immigration officer on the orders of a Chinese company operating in Nigeria.

Calling the incident in Niger State an “attack on Nigeria,” the minister promised to escalate the issue to the highest diplomatic level, especially with the Chinese authorities.

“That is a diplomatic issue, and we will handle it. It will not happen again. So we are going to be very firm. We will not disturb your business or overburden your operations.”

Senate looking to cut election costs by introducing same-day elections

A bill sponsored by Senator Saliu Mustapha (APC – Kwara Central) to amend the Electoral Act 2022 has passed its second reading in the Senate. The bill proposes holding all elections nationwide on the same day to cut costs and reduce voter apathy.

It also aims to shorten the campaign period to ease financial pressure on political parties, candidates, and the government. Additionally, it would allow elected officials, including the President, Vice President, Governors, and legislators, to serve as ad hoc delegates during party congresses.

Senator Mustapha expressed concern over the rising cost of elections, noting that expenses had increased from ₦1.5 billion in 1999 to ₦350 billion in 2023.

Bill to switch Nigeria to Parliamentary system passes second reading

The House of Representatives has advanced a bill to return Nigeria to a parliamentary system of government to the second reading.

The bill, sponsored by Minority Leader Kingsley Chinda and 59 other lawmakers, is one of 31 constitutional amendment bills that passed the second reading during the plenary session on Thursday, March 27.

According to Vanguard, “A Bill for an Act to Alter the Provisions of the Constitution of the Federal Republic of Nigeria, 1999, to Provide for the Office of the Prime Minister as Head of Government and the Office of President as Head of State and to Provide for a Framework for the Mode of Election to the Said Offices and for Related Matters (HB.1115).”